Rangeland conditions improving in most inland areas

After a late onset at the end of July, the “karan/karma” rains (July to September), have been favourable in terms of quantity and distribution. With the exception of a dry spell during the third dekad of August, rainfall amounts have been well above average throughout the season. Pasture, browse and water availability have improved particularly in inland areas of Obock and Tadjourah regions (see NDVI anomaly map). Here, rains have replenished most water catchments and animal body conditions have improved. By contrast, pasture conditions are still poor in most coastal areas as the “heys/dada” rains (October to February) have not yet started. These rains are forecast at average to below average levels until the end of the year and a close monitoring of their impact on grazing resources is warranted.

In recent months, prices of most staple foods have been stable and well below the levels of one year earlier, supporting the purchasing power of poor households. In September, year-on-year average food inflation was estimated at 5.3 percent, with prices of beans and bread ranking higher with an increase of 10.4 and 8.8 percent, respectively.

Currently, the total population in need of humanitarian assistance is estimated at about 270 000 people. They are essentially small‑scale farmers and herders living in northwest and southeast areas that have been affected by several consecutive failed rainy seasons. In addition, about 48 000 people, mainly from Yemen and Somalia, are hosted in refugee camps and are highly dependent on humanitarian assistance.

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